Welcome to the Time and Frequency Laboratory
The Time and Frequency Laboratory constitutes one of the nine key areas of research and innovation of the University of Neuchâtel. The Time-Frequency and Optical Metrology Centre explores and pushes the frontiers in time measurements, photonics, and metrology.
Mission statement
The LTF’s mission is to explore and push the frontiers in time and frequency research, optical metrology, and ultrafast science and technology.
LTF also contributes Switzerland to join in a near future the limited number of countries that actively participate to the definition of the international atomic time TAI with primary frequency standards, with the development of the unique atomic fountain clock FOCS-2 that operates with a continuous beam of cold cesium atoms.
Key competences
LTF’s key competences to achieve its research objectives are:
- Ultrafast lasers development and analysis
- Various frequency combs systems
- State-of-the-art ion beam sputtering (IBS) machine for custom optics fabrication
- Cold atoms
- Noise/stability analysis for microwave/optical oscillators
- Stabilisation of microwave/optical oscillators
- Vapour cells manufacturing and characterisation
- CPT and double resonance spectroscopy in alkali vapour cells
- Vapour cells atomic clocks
- Time & Frequency metrology
- State-of-the-art reference H-maser
Agenda
24-27.06.2024 : EFTF 2024, 37th European Frequency and Time Forum
Neuchâtel, Switzerland
06.02.2024 : L'Observatoire de Neuchâtel, star d'un événement culturel "majeur" en 2026, interview de Julien Gressot sur RTN
31.01.2024 : La mesure du temps et la recherche sur les horloges atomiques à Neuchâtel, conférence, Musée d'histoire naturelle de Neuchâtel
Interview du Prof. Gaetano Mileti
News
13.03.2024 : Neuchâtel, capitale de l'horloge atomique, Prof. Gaetano Mileti, interview, Canal Alpha
13.12.2023 : GPS, GNSS et précision : une question de timing, Prof. Gaetano Mileti, podcast, Nakan.ch
02.10.2023 : Horloges atomiques : une stabilité venue du froid, Dr Etienne Batori
30.03.2023 : Ma thèse en 180 secondes : Roman Blum, doctorant du Laboratoire Temps-Fréquence, obtient le premier prix !
21.03.2023 : Le Temps, entre Physique et Philosophie, Damiano Costa, vidéo
Janvier 2023 : Horloge atomique miniature en voie de commercialisation, Journal En Direct